I am experiencing the same problem. BMW will not replace the mat due to my production date being 04/2006. I have already filed a report with NHTSA. I hope with all the reports being filed, something will be done.

So I decided to bite the bullet and replace the sensor, I picked up the sensor mat that includes the seat cushion at Tisher for $300. I did the work myself, removed the old cushion and the leather upholstery. It wasn't that bad, It took me about 2 hours to replace. However, the airbag light is still on. At this point, I'm pretty sure I need some sort of reset tool. I"m gonna have to ask BMW to diagnose this even though I have the thought of it. Anyone have any ideas?

Mine was replaced under warranty about 5 years ago...but it came back a year later.

I've been driving with the lights on for the last 4 years........

you replied to a 9 month old thread.

i would get it fixed though instead of driving on it... i had the same problem and read that if the passenger sensor has failed to the point that you have the red airbag light on the dash, in addition to the yellow overhead light, then the entire front airbag system will not fire.

long story short.... if you have the red airbag light on your dash, you as the driver may not be protected either.

wanted to add that I have an '06 330i and I called BMWNA and ended up getting them to approve the OC3 occupancy sensor repair outside of warranty. give it a try and see if they will do anything. the dealer's hands are tied, they wont fix anything for free unless BMWNA will reimburse. If you get BMWNA to approve it, then the dealer will fix it.

wanted to add that I have an '06 330i and I called BMWNA and ended up getting them to approve the OC3 occupancy sensor repair outside of warranty. give it a try and see if they will do anything. the dealer's hands are tied, they wont fix anything for free unless BMWNA will reimburse. If you get BMWNA to approve it, then the dealer will fix it.

I have an '08 and have the exact issue described above. Mine failed literally a week outside of warranty (last month). Like it was on a damn timer or something.

I haven't had a chance to take it in yet and have been living with the occasional light, but from what you say, I should just give BMWNA a call first, before bringing it in? Being barely out of warranty, I figured there may be a bit more the dealership could do, but maybe not. I'd rather not have to pay for this, as my car is a month out of warranty and well under 50,000 miles.

A lot of people choose BMW for their safety ratings. Sad that this seems to be such a common issue. I would expect my car's safety system to last well beyond 50,000 miles, for example.

I have an '08 and have the exact issue described above. Mine failed literally a week outside of warranty (last month). Like it was on a damn timer or something.

I haven't had a chance to take it in yet and have been living with the occasional light, but from what you say, I should just give BMWNA a call first, before bringing it in? Being barely out of warranty, I figured there may be a bit more the dealership could do, but maybe not. I'd rather not have to pay for this, as my car is a month out of warranty and well under 50,000 miles.

A lot of people choose BMW for their safety ratings. Sad that this seems to be such a common issue. I would expect my car's safety system to last well beyond 50,000 miles, for example.

Since you are barely out of the warranty, ask BMWNA for a "goodwill" repair.

The airbag and seatbelt icon in the cluster was on along with the "PASS AIR BAG OFF" on the roof console (with or without a front passenger) on my '06 325i at 123,XXX mi. VIN# doesn't show any recalls on the BMW or NHSTA site. I sent a message to BMW NA telling them what happened and they replied next day with this:

"BMW has extended the limited warranty on this vehicle for the Supplemental Restraint System's (SRS) front passenger air bag seat occupancy sensor (OC3) mat to 15 years without mileage limitation as determined from the original in-service date."

Took it to the dealership and it was in fact the sensor mat so it was covered. Otherwise, would've been a 199.00 diagnostic fee. There's nothing wrong with the actual airbag so it wasn't a recall, but that the OC3 mat was covered under warranty.

If I'm outside warranty and I take it to my BMW dealership. Will they still fix the recall

Yes, I did this May of this year for my '06 325i with over 100K miles. I emailed BMW NA explaining the situation and provided my car's details. Below is what they replied with:

"BMW has extended the limited warranty on this vehicle for the Supplemental Restraint System's (SRS) front passenger air bag seat occupancy sensor (OC3) mat to 15 years without mileage limitation as determined from the original in-service date."

I forwarded the email to my SA while scheduling an appointment. They were aware of it and took care of it. Hope this helps!

I'm having the same issue with my 2007 325i passenger seat sensor too and I've contacted BMW and they said that my year was not covered under the recall. Of course the dealership wants over $200 to fix.... UGH!!!

The passenger occupancy seat sensor does go bad. If you are not on a recall list, but you ARE within the Federal warranty coverage period, you can get the seat sensor replaced under that warranty. If you are beyond the Federal warranty and live in CA and certain other states covered within the CA SULEV policy, you can still get the sensor replaced under the extended coverage of the CA SULEV warranty period.

I have a 2011 328i. I was outside the New Car Warranty, but within the CPO Warranty. But when my sensor failed, the dealer replaced it under the $0-deductible CA SULEV warranty; the SA said that even if it was not a CA SULEV car, it would still have been covered under the $50-deductible CPS Warranty.